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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Palootti Valartha Kili

From Gauravam · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Gauravam1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{ Palooti valartha kiliThe parrot raised with milk,
Pazhankoduthu paartha kili } (2)The parrot nurtured with tender fruits,
{ Naan valartha pachai kiliThe green parrot that I raised
Naalai varum katcheriku } (2)Is coming to tomorrow's court session,
Male
{ ChellamaMy darling,
Endhan chellama } (2)Oh, my beloved child!
Male
{ SattamumEven the law,
Naan uraithenI taught him,
Thairiyamum naan kuduthen } (2)And I gave him courage as well.
Male
{ PattamHaving obtained just a degree,
Matum vaangi vandhuIt now seeks to leap and fly away,
Paaindhu sella paarkudhadi } (2)My darling,
Male
ChellamaOh, my beloved child!
Endhan chellamaThe parrot raised with milk,
Male
Palooti valartha kiliThe parrot nurtured with tender fruits,
Pazhankoduthu paartha kiliThe green parrot that I raised
Naan valartha pachai kiliIs coming to tomorrow's court session,
Naalai varum katcherikuMy darling,
Male
ChellamaOh, my beloved child!
Endhan chellamaFor the sake of justice,
Male
{ NeedhikaeI stood up fearlessly,
Thunindhu nindrenAnd conquered everything I set my mind upon.
Ninaithadhellam jeithu vandhen } (2)Yet, to my own sorrow,
Male
{ VedhanaikuA son like this
Oru maganaiI raised within my household.
Veetinilae valarthu vandhen } (2)My darling,
Male
{ ChellamaOh, my beloved child!
Endhan chellama } (2)The parrot raised with milk,
Male
Palooti valartha kiliThe parrot nurtured with tender fruits,
Pazhankoduthu paartha kiliThe green parrot that I raised
Naan valartha pachai kiliIs coming to tomorrow's court session,
Naalai varum katcherikuMy darling,
Male
ChellamaOh, my beloved child!
Endhan chellamaIs this God's
Male
{ AandavanTrial, or is it due to someone's
Sodhanaiyo yaarIll counsel?
Kodutha bodhanaiyo } (2)Into the fire
Male
{ TheeyilaeHe has stepped, but he will return
Irangi vittan thirumbaAnd bow at my feet.
Vandhu thaal panivan } (2)This is the truth,
Male
SathiyamThis is absolute truth,
Idhu sathiyamMy darling,
Male
ChellamaOh, my beloved child!
Endhan chellamaThe parrot raised with milk,
Male
Palooti valartha kiliThe parrot nurtured with tender fruits,
Pazhankoduthu paartha kiliThe green parrot that I raised
Naan valartha pachai kiliIs coming to tomorrow's court session,
Naalai varum katcherikuMy darling,
Male
{ ChellamaOh, my beloved child!
Endhan chellama } (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Palooti Valartha Kili is a legendary track from the 1973 Tamil courtroom drama Gauravam. In this song, the proud and formidable lawyer Barrister Rajanikanth laments the defiance of his nephew and protégé, whom he raised with deep affection and trained in the legal profession. Comparing the young lawyer to a cherished parrot raised on milk and fruit, he expresses heartbreak that the boy now dares to face him in court as an opponent. Despite his pain, Rajanikanth's ego and confidence in his legal dominance remain unbroken. He wonders whether his nephew's betrayal is a divine test or the result of malicious influence, yet remains convinced that the young challenger will fail in his trial by fire and ultimately return to bow before him in respect.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Palooti valartha kili / Pazhankoduthu paartha kili

The protagonist uses the metaphor of a lovingly nurtured parrot ('Pachai kili') to represent his nephew and student whom he raised and educated in law.

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Palooti valartha kili / Pazhankoduthu paartha kili

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Pa' across consecutive words ('Palooti' and 'Pazhankoduthu').

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Sattamum / Pattam

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'tta' (ட்) in 'Sattamum' and 'Pattam'.

Vinaa (Rhetorical Question)

Aandavan Sodhanaiyo yaar Kodutha bodhanaiyo

The speaker questions whether his current situation is a divine test or bad advice fed to his nephew by enemies.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is set in the context of the iconic courtroom drama Gauravam (1973), where Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan played a dynamic dual role as the veteran lawyer Barrister Rajanikanth and his righteous nephew Kannan. Composed by M. S. Viswanathan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan, Kannadasan's lyrics famously use the colloquial word 'Katcheriku'—which classically referred to a musical performance—to denote a court session or legal showdown.

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